Washington family home to be viewed

Restored Cedar Lawn will be open to public during House & Garden Tour

March 22, 2013

MARTINSBURG - The Shenandoah-Potomac Garden Council is comprised of Garden Clubs in Berkeley and Jefferson counties. These clubs host the Annual House & Garden Tour to fund beautification projects in their communities.

The House and Garden Tours of Historic Berkeley and Jefferson Counties began in 1955, when several local women began this spring tradition that has blossomed into a major annual event and tourist attraction. Sponsored by the Shenandoah-Potomac Garden Council, local clubs have offered a peek into the area's unique or historically significant properties for more than 50 years. Last year more than 800 visitors from nearly a dozen states toured the seven featured homes.

Docents from garden clubs throughout the region guide guests through these homes and gardens, describing the architecture, furnishings and plantings, as well as genealogical information or historical events that may have taken place on the grounds or within the walls. Club members also volunteer their time and talents by providing beautiful flower arrangements to decorate the homes. Tours are scheduled at the end of April in order to capture spring's beauty at its peak.

Article Photos

Submitted photoCedar Lawn, one of the remaining Washington family homes, will be the second stop on the Home and Garden Tour.

The proceeds from the first tour in 1955 were used to purchase period furnishings for the Historic Harper House in Harpers Ferry. The house was being renovated by the National Park Service. Through the years, participating garden clubs have selected various and diversified projects to benefit and beautify their communities. Local schools, parks and libraries have been the recipients of projects ranging in cost from $3,000 up to $10,000.

One of the eight remaining Washington family homes in Jefferson County, Cedar Lawn was built by John Thornton Augustine Washington on land derived from nearby Harewood, which was built circa 1770 by Samuel Washington, George Washington's oldest full brother and John's grandfather. This is the first time the house has been on the House and Garden Tour since the late 1950s, and the first time the newly restored Cedar Lawn has been open to the public.

Built 1825-1829, this historically and architecturally significant brick house, built on a raised basement, displays a Greek Revival portico with a beautifully proportioned double side light and fan entry (the only original exterior door). A large transverse hall entry foyer, two parlors and the kitchen wing (current dining room and kitchen) comprised the original floor plan. The smaller wing to the right of the house (now the library) was added during the early 1900s. A summer kitchen was also located on the property but is no longer standing.

Cedar Lawn, along with four other Washington family homes, was purchased in the early 20th century by R.J. Funkhouser. It is due to his efforts that many of these gracious and historical houses were preserved.

Cedar Lawn was transferred, on his death, to Randy Funkhouser, his grandson, in 2010. Randy sold it to Dr. William Taylor Fithian III, another of R.J.'s grandsons, and his wife.

Two years ago, Dr. & Mrs. Fithian began an extensive restoration of the house and property. The original driveway was moved to the center of the house and lined with 26 Zelkova trees (an ornamental Asian import). The exterior was improved with restoration and waterproofing of the brick. While new infrastructure and utilities were added, all interior and exterior architectural elements have been restored. On the back of the house, a large porch has been added off the two parlors and a smaller porch was added to the newly renovated kitchen. The design of the two new porches is completely integrated to the original architecture of the house.

The beautiful grounds of the house overlook surrounding horse pastures and display old cedars, hemlocks, boxwoods and new plantings of Zelkova trees, Barberry bushes, oak leaf hydrangeas and red Knock Out roses.

Cedar Lawn will be shown by the Dolley Madison, Windflower and Wizard Clip garden clubs.

In addition to the seven homes being shown by the Garden Clubs of Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, the Bloomery Plantation Distillery will be featured as a point of interest. Bloomery Plantation Distillery's regular hours are Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for tours and tastings. For the House and Garden Tour weekend only, Bloomery will be open Sunday, although no liquor can be served or sold on that day.

Advance tickets for the tour may be obtained for $15 for the complete tour for adults and $5 for children 12 and under from Shenandoah-Potomac Garden Council, c/o Ginny Reisenweber, Treasurer, 315 Greenbrier Road, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Tickets on the day of the tour will be $20 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under; the website is www.shenandoah-potomacgardencouncil.org.